LANSING, Mich. —Sen. Rick Jones and Rep. Dr. John Bizon have introduced legislation to establish an African American Affairs Commission in the state.

“It’s important for the state to take into consideration the entirety of our population,” said Bizon, R-Battle Creek. “This commission will address specifically the needs of our African American community, making sure they are benefiting from state decisions. This legislation will ensure that our black community has a direct line to the governor in making policy beneficial to all residents of the state of Michigan.”

Jones has introduced Senate Bill 165, which would establish an African American Affairs Commission within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Bizon has introduced House Bill 4223 to also create the commission.

“Currently, the state has several commissions, including the Hispanic/Latino Commission, the Asian Pacific American Commission and the Council on Arab Chaldean American Affairs, and my goal is to make an African American Affairs Commission,” said Jones, R-Grand Ledge. “As we celebrate Black History Month, it is just common sense that we have a commission that will monitor, evaluate, investigate and advocate for the betterment of African Americans throughout Michigan.”